Who can name all the flags in this photo? As part of the marking of Confederate History and Heritage month in Chattooga Co., members of Chattooga Co. Camp 507, Sons of Confederate Veterans raised a collection of Confederate flags over the Battle of Trion Factory monument at the old Trion cemetery. In the first photo, the almost all white flag on top is referred to as the 2nd National Flag, or Stainless Banner. Below it is a variation of the 1st National Confederate Flag, known as the Stars and Bars. This particular configuration was unique to the Headquarters of the Army of Northern Virginia and is more correctly called Lees Headquarters Flag. The bottom square flag (seeing the two above are rectangular) is the Army of Northern Virginia Battle flag, also known as the St. Andrews Cross. It was the flag carried into battle by soldiers in Gen. Robert E. Lees Army.

The second photo features Confederate flags of a different sort. The top flag is the Missouri Battle Flag. Many Confederate Flags incorporated Christian designs such as a Cross in their design. The Kentucky Battle Flag was similar to the Missouri flag. The Kentucky Flag was the one most likely carried by Confederate Troops at the Battle of Trion Factory.The middle flag is known as the Van Dorn pattern, created by General Earl Van Dorn for use in the Army of Trans-Mississippi. Interestingly, the 39th Georgia Infantry, of which Co. H. was raised in Chattooga County, lost their supply wagons in late 1863 to Federal troops on Lookout Mountain. In the wagons was located a spare battle flag of the Van Dorn design.The third flag in the second photo is a blue flag, trimmed in white, and with a white circle in the middle of it. This is known as the Hardee Pattern Flag. Designed by Gen. William J. Hardee, this flag was a staple of troops in the Confederate Army of Tennessee until 1864. This was a flag carried in such varied battles as Perryville, Murphreesboro, Chickamauga, Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge. There were over 300 identifiably different patterns of Confederate Flags used by various units or governmental agencies during the "Civil War". They may all be considered "Rebel flags", and they are all most certainly American Flags. So, the next time you hear someone speaking about "The Confederate Flag", or "The Rebel Flag", stop them and ask ... Which one? And remember, even the Stars and Stripes was a "Rebel Flag" in 1776!

There were over 300 identifiably different patterns of Confederate Flags used by various units or governmental agencies during the "Civil War." They may all be considered "Rebel flags," and they are all most certainly American Flags. So, the next time you hear someone speaking about "The Confederate Flag," or "The Rebel Flag," stop them and ask ... Which one? And remember, even the Stars and Stripes was a "Rebel Flag" in 1776!

Sunday, April 3rd, a few members of Chattooga Co. Camp 507, along with descendants of Sergeant Joseph LaFayette Hammond, Co. H, 39th GA. INF. placed a headstone at his gravesite in Chattooga Co.

Seated is Hill Hammond ,behind him is his son Dan Hammond on the left is Steve Weaver on the right is Stan Hammond, kneeling is Jason Hammond. Joseph is Hill's
Great Grandfather ,Dan's second Great grandfather, Steve and Stan's third Great grandfather and Jason's Fourth. Not pictured that helped with the setting were Stan Nix, and Robert Simmons.

Friday, April 1st, 2011 Chattooga County Commissioner Jason Winters signed a Proclamation designating April as Confederate History and Heritage Month in Chattooga County. Seated in the photo isCommissioner Winters. Standing from left to right are members of Chattooga Co. Camp 507 Sons of Confederate Veterans. They are Chaplain Dale Willingham, Commander Dale Mitchell, Sgt.-At-Arms Stan Nix, member Steve Weaver, and member Jim Johnson. Copies of the Proclamation can be viewed in the Georgia Room at the Chattooga Co. Library, and in the Chattooga Co. Courthouse.